Chapter Nine

Chapter Nine

Molly's Market was a staple for any Capesidian It carried all your basic culinary needs and Joey had been frequenting the place more and more since Jackers moved in. She loved they boy but man he could pack it away. She went down the cereal isle and picked him up his Captn Crunch and Coco Pebbles he had since his teen years given up hope on any cereal that didn't contain massive quantities of sugar and since Jen had given up on convincing him otherwise Joey was now embarrassing herself in the isles picking up four different breakfast snacks for the two of them and luckily for her Haley was pretty low maintenance and she didn't let Lilly eat that stuff unless it was a special day or something and that was rare Lilly normally wanted pancakes anyway.

Joey's effort to get them all in the cart at once however had failed her miserably and now the floor was littered with Jack and Jens stupidity in Joey's opinion anyway. But as she went to reach for them another hand seemed to get there faster. She looked up and there stood that man, that one she always seemed to see in passing but had never exchanged a word with. She had seen him countless times and he became one of those faces that you pick out in a crowed as that guy you saw at that place. He was familiar and had a kind face and since he had placed all of Joey's clumsiness in her trolley she figured the kind label fit well enough.

Sam- Hey

Joey- Hi, thanks for the help

Sam- No problem um…I've seen you before

Joey- Yeah I've seen you too…so does the kindhearted stranger have a name?

Sam- Oh yeah sorry I'm Sam, Sam Carson

Joey- Well hi

She said shaking his hand

Sam- Well…does the pretty market lady have a name?

Joey- Sorry uh yeah I'm Joey, Joey Potter

He was good looking Joey had to admit he was tall not as muscular as Pacey but he had something…he was friendly he had a friendly character that's what it was Joey thought analyzing the stranger.

Sam- Well Joey, Joey Potter you have a weird cereal preferences most people who buy Captn Crunch aren't usually too concerned with the more healthier cereal items

Joey- I'm bipolar when it comes to sugar what can I say? Sometimes I love it sometimes I hate it

Sam- Well yeah either that or you just live with someone

Joey- Is that a statement or a question?

Sam- Well whichever will get me into less trouble

Joey- I live with my three best friends and my daughter at the moment

Sam- Wow you're so young

Joey- Well maybe I've just had a lot of work done

Sam- Nah they couldn't get it that good

Joey was embarrassed. Was he actually flirting with her? Normally guys run screaming for the hills when they hear the word mother well pertaining to her or otherwise but still this guy strangely enough still seemed interested.

Joey- So do you live around here?

Sam- Uh actually no New York my boss sent me here to work on acquiring some business' he wants to bring some of the small town charm to the city

Joey- Well send him my best wishes he's definitely got his work cut out for him

Sam- So I was wondering…if maybe Saturday night you were busy I mean I know you have a daughter and all it's just well I was hoping maybe we could do something

Joey was so far passed shocked she felt like she needed cold water to be thrown at her. But she knew even if she wanted to she couldn't she had Pacey's thing to go to and well that was that.

Joey- Well I'm very flattered but I kind of have this thing I have to go to on Saturday night it's the Policeman's ball my…friend he ah he's the Sheriff

Well saying that hurt like hell but unlike most people Joey hung around with Sam didn't know about her and Pacey's history do he was reduced to friend though he was so much more than any man had ever been to her

Sam- Oh…well uh do you have an escort?

Joey thought about this for a second she didn't have anyone to go with but Pacey definitely did and he had told her that he could get as many seats as they needed to accommodate dates for their friends if they had them. So if he could get seats for their dates he could get one for hers. The night was going to be painful enough for her it wouldn't hurt to have a safety of some sort and she did like Sam he was a nice guy not Pacey but a nice guy nonetheless. Pacey was engaged now he didn't care who she took.

Joey- No actually I don't

Sam- Well if you want I'd love to take you?

Joey- I'd like that too

They exchanged phone numbers and addresses and he was to pick her up at 7:00 she had told him that Lilly was coming and he didn't sound phased at all just said that he'd love to meet her. Joey should have been happy but no matter how hard she tried to want him to be he wasn't the man she wanted to be with that night and she felt guilty for it but it was just one night. Completely harmless…right?

They next day the girls found a beautiful little boutique in the middle of town. Jen and Haley had both already found their dresses but Joey was being indecisive just like she used to be.

Jen- Jo it's a dress not a house

Joey- Yeah but I want to look presentable

Haley- Oh please you always look far better than presentable. You could go in sweats and still be the prettiest girl there. I swear Jo I'm starting to think being your friend is bad for my ego

Joey- Stop being ridiculous and help me look.

Lilly was sitting in the middle of the room on a huge pretty chair. She claimed it immediately and dubbed it her throne for the day as it was pink and Lilly loved pink the same love her mother had suppressed all her childhood because she was always hanging out with boys who would have teased her mercilessly

Lilly- Mommy!

Joey- Yes sweetie

Lilly- This one's pretty

Joey turned and saw the most stunning dress she had ever seen it was a light pink of course seeing as how Lilly had picked It out and although pink would normally look tacky this dress was tasteful and exuded elegance. He daughter had taste she had to give her that

Jen- You have to try that on or I'm buying it

Joey knew Jen was serious so she quickly rushed into the change room to try it on

Lilly- Mommy I wanna see!

Joey came out of the change room and she was smiling lately that had been rare but she loved this dress

Lilly- Mommy you look like a princess

Jen- She's right Jo that looks amazing you have to get it

Haley- You look like royalty Joey I don't know if I should hug you or curtsy

Jen- You can't hug her you'll ruin the dress

Joey- So it's this one huh?

All- YES!

At that moment Jack walked in.

Jack- Seriously are you guys done shopping I'm hungry…whoa

Haley- See Jo quick take it off before Jack forgets he likes boys

Jen- That'll make it worse Haley

Joey sneered at them

Jack- You look gorgeous Joey

Joey- Well thank you and yeah you're right I better get changed I don't want to ruin the dress

Jen- Gown Joey that's a gown not a dress

Lilly laughed and then turned to her uncle

Lilly- What are you doing here uncle Jack?

Haley- He needed something to wear too

Lilly thought that was hilarious

Lilly- You're funny Auntie Haley

Haley- Well a persons gotta be good at something

Jack- Well in answer to Lilly's question that was ever so rudely interrupted did you girls ever plan on coming home the fridge is empty you left me there to starve

Jen- What is this the middle ages you need the women folk to come fix your supper?

Jack- No I'm just hungry

Haley- Yeah and apparently completely incompetent

Jack- Okay you guys wanna rage against men leave me out of it

Jen- Why? You don't consider yourself a man anymore? Maybe one of these dresses would be appropriate then. Maybe something with ruffles?!

Jack- Joey!

Joey- What?

She came out of the changing room dress in hand

Jack- They're picking on me

Joey laughed

Joey- When are they not picking on you?

Jen- Did you just tell on us?

Haley- You need mommy to make it all better Jack?

Lilly- Hey she's my Mommy!

Jack- See this is exactly why men should never come in these places its like entering the twilight zone. You're all mean in here.

He said storming off in that way that meant he was pouting now but he'd get over it

Joey- Hey what did I say?

The day had come and gone and Lilly had found her dress also. Joey loved it, it was a light purple and had little flowers around her waist. Now they were all sitting around the TV watching The Little Mermaid Lilly's preference of course. She was laying on the floor with a pillow and Joey Jack Jen and Haley were all huddled on the couch.

Jack- I don't get this movie

Joey- What concept of this movie for kids that Lilly is more than able to comprehend baffles you Jack?

Jack- Well this crab right?...Why Is he French and the rest of them are American? Makes no sense

Lilly- It's a movie Uncle Jack it doesn't matter

Haley- That girl of yours Jo she's gonna be a rocket scientist

Lilly- Nuh uh I wanna be a sailor just like Daddy

She said with complete ease not even noticing what an affect those words had on her mother she just wished Pacey had been there to here it

Joey- Lilly sweetie don't forget to tell him when you see him

Lilly- Okay Mommy

She said still enthralled in the movie when the doorbell rang Joey bounded out of her seat hoping it was Pacey but when she opened the door she saw Sam smiling at her.

Sam- Hi Joey uh you dropped this at the market I thought I owed it to you to return it

Joey looked down into his hand and saw one of her earrings had fallen out she hadn't noticed all day.

Joey- Thanks so much

Sam- No problem uh I better go I didn't want to disturb you this late its just the earring looked expensive and I didn't want you to lose your mind over it

Joey- That was very thoughtful thank you Sam

Sam- So I guess I'll see you Saturday

Joey- Yeah Saturday

Sam- Bye

Joey- Bye

Joey shut the door and turned to find Haley standing right behind her shoving popcorn in her mouth the others were all safely back in the living room debating the significance of Flounder but Haley had obviously seen everything.

Haley- So who's the dish?

Joey- No one

Haley- So he's your imaginary friend that you're going out with on Saturday just when you have to go to Pacey's ball thingy you go and get a life Joey this isn't good he needs you there with Lilly

Joey- And I will be there

Haley- You're bringing him?

Joey- Well he asked me and Pacey has a date so why shouldn't I what am I supposed to do just pine all night?

Haley- Well Jo I gotta say you've gotten pretty good at it over the past five years

Joey- So then what's wrong with me bringing someone huh? I wanna know Pacey's definitely not going to care and Sarah she'll be ecstatic

Haley- Yeah and since when do you want to make that witch happy?

Joey- You don't even know her

Haley- So? I'm aloud to hate her if I want you definitely do

Joey- There's nothing wrong with this Hales okay

Haley- Jo listen to me if you need to be on the arm of some other guy to help keep you standing through this that's fine but just don't lie to me and tell me that's not what it's about because we both know it is

Joey looked at her friend and was reduced to silence she looked up and her and Haley hugged her

Haley-and I'll be right there helping you when he needs to pee

Joey laughed though her tears

Joey- Thank you

Haley- Well anything for a princess…Now lets go watch that mermaid get some legs

The next morning Jen, Jack, and Pacey were all sitting at the kitchen table having coffee and just spending time together they had yet to really catch up but they were doing that now.

Pacey- So tell me about NYU?

Jack- It's school it sucks next topic

Pacey- When did you become such a pessimist Jackers growing up with Andie you'd thing you'd be Mickey Mouse on uppers

Jack- Well I haven't been laid in a while so maybe that's it

Pacey spit out his coffee a little Jack had never spoken like this back in high school but it was good to know he was more comfortable with himself

Jen- I agree Jack we need to get you some good man meat

Jack- What ever happened to that bother of yours Pacey he was sexy

Jen- Yeah I'll second that

Pacey- Do you two want me to throw up coz I will

Jack- Fine he was the only good one in this town

Pacey- Hey! You don't think I'm sexy

Jack- You're straight

Pacey- So?

Jack- What do you want me to say Pacey?

Pacey- That Doug wasn't the only fine male specimine in this town

Jack- Fine you're hot are you happy

Pacey grinned happy he actually won

Pacey- Uh huh

Jen- Okay I have a question if you could sleep with any guy from Capeside you wanted who would it be?

Jack- Doug hands down

Jen- Yeah I'd probably go with Drue he was an asshole but he was hot

Jack- I never really got the whole Drue thing

Jen- Huh guess he's an acquired taste

Pacey- Guys please can we talk about something I can contribute to

Jen- Like what which one of us girls has the nicest breasts

Pacey- Now that topic I could like

Hales then walked by the kitchen speaking but not having seen Pacey she blurted something out before leaving through the front door

Haley- Hey guys I'm just going for a run. Remind me we have to talk about the hotty that Joey's going to the ball with k bye

Silence fell on the small group and Pacey felt like he wanted to scream but he didn't he maintained himself like he always did knowing he had no right to be angry or hurt but he was and he was planning on castrating this guy if he touched her he hated this but this was the way it was. He was heartbroken knowing his girl would be getting all dressed up and excited to share a romantic night with someone that wasn't him.

Jen- You okay Pacey

Pacey- Yeah I'm fine. Why wouldn't I be?

Jack- You just look upset Pace that's all we're your friends too you know if you need us we're here

Pacey- Really guys its fine okay even if I was upset I'd have no right to be and…Joey's…I want her to be happy

It was killing him but it was true it's all he ever wanted and if she couldn't be with him then he wanted her to find happiness. He loved her so much that he knew he'd love her forever but he had to love her from afar and he knew it was possible she could meet someone and…he couldn't think about it he just had to take it one day at a time.

Pacey- So do you guys need extra tickets

Jack- Nope stupid question really Pacey considering the discussion we just had

Jen – Um I uh need one

Jack- What?

Pacey- Haley?

Jen- No she's planning on hitting on all your policeman friends

Jack- Who are you taking?

Pacey- K I gotta go guys I'll see you there k

Jen- Sure Pace bye…Hey Pacey

Pacey- Yeah he said just as he was about to walk through the door

Jen- Last night Lilly said she wanted to be a sailor just like her Daddy

That got him to smile

Pacey- Thanks Jen

Jen- No problem Pace

She knew he was hearbroken she could see it in his eyes Pacey Witter baffled her these days and a lot more that usual. He still loved her she knew it so why…

Jack- Jen who are you taking?!

Jen- None of your business Jacky boy

Jack- Mean!

The day had arrived it was time for the ball and Joey awoke that morning feeling strange she felt like something was going to change soon and she could not decide if it was good or bad but she was nervous about the ball more than anything and somewhere not too far away the man with the beautiful blue eyes was laying alone in his bed thinking the exact same thing.